I'm furious that my son's school said he had to go to school even if he has a serious illness – they threatened to report me

A mother was furious after her son's school told him he had to go to school even though he has a serious illness and threatened to report her.

An email from the school reportedly claims that parents should send children even if they have tonsillitis or glandular fever.

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Posting to Twitter, Gem uploaded an image with the caption: “Absolutely disgusted to receive this in an email from my son's school after being sick for a few days.”

The shocking email is titled “When should your child stay home?” and is followed by a number of explanations.

It says: “When considering whether or not to send your child to school, you should consider whether an adult in a similar situation would take a day off work.

“In the event of illness or diarrhea, the school policy is that a child is free for 48 hours.

“You do not have to keep your child home from school if he/she has: athlete's foot, cold sores, glandular fever, head lice, tonsillitis, cold or cough, headache, sore throat.

“If we think your child is absent for no real reason, or is often ill, we may ask for medical evidence or discuss the child with the local authority.”

Unsurprisingly, the post caused a storm on social media, with many pointing out that the advice was against NHS guidelines.

Readers were understandably furious, as some of these conditions are easily contagious, not to mention very serious.

A Twitter user responding to Gem wrote: “Jesus Christ. Honestly, is it just… insulting to send your child to school with tonsillitis or glandular fever?

'They'd get a fever! They are contagious! They would feel terrible. No work gets done!

'You're supposed to rest when you're sick! I would send angry words in response.

A second posted: “No one should be at school or work with glandular fever. Things like coughs, colds, etc. can also spread infections to other children, as can head lice.”

According to the NHS, glandular fever can make you feel very ill and last for weeks.

It is spread through spit, so you can get it from kissing or sharing cups or cutlery.

Those who have it can be contagious for up to seven weeks before developing symptoms.

Similarly, it is also against NHS advice to be sent to school with tonsillitis.

The advice adds that while tonsillitis is not contagious, the infections that cause it – such as colds and flu – are.

Taking into account that someone with tonsillitis would be in a lot of pain and should 'get plenty of rest' only makes the school's advice even more baffling.

While colds and coughs aren't the worst thing in the world, they can easily be a sign of much worse infections.

As with other diseases on the list, head lice are spread by head-to-head contact, and athlete's foot can be easily spread in a swimming pool.

However, according to NHS advice, pupils can attend school under these conditions.